Checkout stand toy with turntable drive

ABSTRACT

A toy supermarket checkout stand with a rotatable turntable for holding goods and a constantly rotating sign over it, which uses a simple self-disengaging drive for the turntable. A drive roller for rotating the turntable, is fixed to a worm wheel that is rotated by a screw. The worm wheel is mounted on a frame that slides parallel to the axis of the screw so that the worm wheel is always engaged with the screw, the frame sliding between an engaged position wherein the drive roller engages the turntable and a disengaged position wherein it is disengaged from the turntable. The motor rotates the screw in a direction that urges the frame towards the disengaged position, so that there is automatic disengagement without the use of a spring, whenever a child is not pushing the frame towards the engaged position.

United States Patent Workman et al.

3,659,377 May 2, 1972 [54] CHECKOUT STAND TOY WITH TURNTABLE DRIVE [72] Inventors: Larry D. Workman, Fountain Valley; Ralph R. Laing, Hermosa Beach; J. Stephen Lewis, Pacific Palisades; Emil H. VonWinckelmann, Van Nuys, all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif.

[22] Filed: Apr. 1, 1970 211 App]. No.: 130,388

[52] U.S. Cl ..46/40 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 33/30 [58] Field of Search ..46/40; 186/1 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,109,515 11/1963 Schild ..l86/l A 2,723,728 11/1965 Crawford.. ..l86/l A 3,077,950 2/1963 Brown ..186/l A Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever AttorneySeymour A. Scholnick [57] ABSTRACT A toy supermarket checkout stand with a rotatable turntable for holding goods and a constantly rotating sign over it, which uses a simple self-disengaging drive for the turntable. A drive roller for rotating the turntable, is fixed to a worm wheel that is rotated by a screw. The worm wheel is mounted on a frame that slides parallel to the axis of the screw so that the worm wheel is always engaged with the screw, the frame sliding between an engaged position wherein the drive roller engages the turntable and a disengaged position wherein it is disengaged from the turntable. The motor rotates the screw in a direction that urges the frame-towards the disengaged position, so that there is automatic disengagement without the use of a spring, whenever a child is not pushing the frame towards the engaged position.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMM 21922 3, 659,377

sum 2 or 2 ATTOQIJEV' CHECKOUT STAND TOY TURNTABLE DRIVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to animated toys.

2. Description of the Prior Art I Some types of animated toys employ two different outputs, where one output is constantly driven while the other is driven only at selected times. One example of such a toy is a simulated supermarket checkout stand which has a constantly rotating sign, and which has a goods-holding counter or turntable that is rotated only when a child presses a lever. A variety of mechanism are available for constantly rotating the sign and for selectively driving the turntable only when the lever is operated, but they generally include several additional mechanical elements. In the design of toys for mass production, extreme simplicity is desirable to allow the toys to be sold at the lowest possible price. Thus, a drive with a self disengaging clutch action which was of great simplicity, would be valuable in the construction of toys.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is.to provide a simple toy drive for selectively engaging and disengaging an output from a driving motor.

Another object is to provide a toy checkout stand with a turntable counter, which is extremely simple.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a toy checkout stand is provided which includes a constantly rotating sign and a selectively rotatable turntable, the stand having a very simple transmission for driving the sign and turntable. A motor drives a screw which rotates two worm wheels. One of the worm wheels is fixed to the sign shaft to constantly rotate it and the other worm wheel is fixed to a drive roller that can selectively rotate the turntable. The second worm wheel and the drive roller are rotatably mounted on a support that can slide parallel to the axis of the screw. The support can slide between an engaging position wherein the drive roller contacts the turntable to rotate it and a disengaging position wherein the drive roller is spaced from the turntable. The screw turns in a direction that urges the second worm wheel and drive roller thereon towards the disengaging position, so that the turntable normally is not rotated. A manually operated lever can be pushed to slide the support to the engaging position,'and when the lever is released the turntable automatically stops. The driving mechanism is very simple, and it automatically disengages from the turntable without even requiring a return spring.

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularly in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy checkout stand constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the drive mechanism of the stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the mechanism of FIG. 4, showing the manner of engagement and disengagement of the drive roller with the turntable; and

FIG. 6 illustrates the manner of making and breaking electrical connections in the mechanism of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a checkout stand of the type employed in supermarkets and other stores which includes a housing 10 with an upper shelf 12 for receiving goods that have been rung up on a toy cash register 14, and a rotatable counter or turntable 16 for receiving toy goods and carrying them to the shelf 12. A decorative sign 18 that is fixed to a shaft 20, slowly rotates to enhance the appearance of the stand. An on-off lever 22 can be pivoted downwardly to energize a motor within the stand. A control lever 24 can be moved sidewardly to make the turntable l6 rotate or stop.

When the on-ofi lever 22 is pushed down to energize the motor, the sign 18 rotates, but the turntable 16 does not. Only when the control lever 24 is pushed does the turntable I6 rotate, and release of the control lever causes the turntable to automatically stop rotating. The levers 22 and 24 are designed for manual operation by a child or by a doll that may be dressed as a store clerk and directed by a child to operate the levers.

As shown in FIG. 2, an electric motor 26 mounted on the housing turns a worm or screw 28. A first worm wheel 30 that is fixed to the sign shaft 20 is engaged by the screw 28 to be slowly rotated by it. A second worm wheel 32 which is also engaged with the screw 28 is also turned by it. A drive roller 34 that is fixed to the second worrn wheel 32, can engage a turntable flange 36 that depends from the turntable. When the drive roller 34 is engaged with the turntable flange 36, at a time when the motor is rotating, it drives the turntable 16. The sign shaft 20 constantly rotates whenever the motor 26 is energized.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate additional details of the drive mechanism. The second worm wheel 32 and drive roller 34 are fixed together, and both are rotatably mounted on a slideable frame or support 38. The support 38 is confined by several guides 40 to slideable movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the screw 28. As a result, the worm Wheel 32 always remains engaged with the screw to be constantly riven by it. However, as the support 38 slides in the direction of arrow 42, the drive roller 34 moves against the turntable flange 36 to contact and drive it. The control lever 24 which enables manual control of turntable rotation when the motor is on, is pivotally mounted on a post 44 of the housing, and has a slot 46 engaged with a boss 48 on the support 38. When the protruding end of the control lever 24 is pushed in the direction of arrow 50, it moves the support 38 in the direction of arrow 42. This causes the drive roller 34 to move to the position 34a at which it contacts the turntable flange to drive the turntable.

When the control lever 24 is released at a time when the motor is energized, the support 38 automatically moves in a direction opposite to arrow 42 to move the drive roller 34 away from engagement with the turntable flange. The turntable 16 therefore automatically stops rotating when the lever 24 is not pushed. Such automatic disengagement is provided without the need for springs or the like, but relies only upon the force of the screw 28 on the second worm wheel 32. As the screw 28 rotates in the indicated direction, it not only rotates the second worm wheel 32, but pushes it in a direction opposite to arrow 42. The amount of force depends upon the resistance of worm wheel 32 to rotation. When the drive roller 34 contacts the turntable flange, there is a large force urging the second worm wheel in a direction opposite to arrow 42, but there is some force even when the drive roller is not so engaged, merely by reason of bearing friction. The sliding force applied to the worm wheel 32 is transmitted to the support 38 so that it automatically shifts in a direction opposite to arrow 42 when the control lever 24 is released.

The on-off lever 22 is pivotally mounted at 52 on the housing, and it operates by separating or allowing the engagement of a pair of electrical contacts 54, 56. The two contacts 54, 56 are connected through the motor 26 to the terminals of batteries within a battery case 60 of the checkout stand housing. When the on-ofi lever 22 is raised, the separating portion 58 moves to the position 58a to allow the contacts 54, 56 to be engaged and the motor to be energized. Of course, as soon as the motor is energized the sign 18 begins rotating, and shifting of the control lever 24 can cause rotation of the turntable. The arrangement of the levers 22, 24 makes them particularly easy to operate by movement of a doll,'the on-off lever 22 being operated by bending the doll up or down at the waist and the control lever 24 being operated by twisting the doll.

Thus, the invention provides a simple manually controllable toy drive. The drive includes a screw, a worm wheel mounted to move substantially parallel to the axis of the screw to remain constantly engaged with it, and a drive roller coupled to the wonn wheel to move with it. Movement of the worm wheel and drive roller allows for engagement and disengagement of the drive roller with an output that is to be driven. The worm not only provides a large speed reduction and enables constant driving engagement during movement of the drive roller, but also supplies a bias tending to move the drive roller in a predetermined direction. This predetermined direction can be chosen so that the drive roller tends to disengage from the output except when a manual force is applied causing such engagement. Of course, the drive roller is only one form of a drive wheel, inasmuch as a drive gear can be used instead to drive a gear type output member. The output member can have the form of slidablegear-type rack instead of a wheel,

and it can be used either as the final member in a transmission or to drive an additional member. The several important functions of the drive apparatus are achieved in a relatively simple mechanism, allowing the toy to be constructed at low cost. The drive mechanism is useful in a toy checkout stand to control rotation of a turntable at selected times, while enabling the motor to be constantly energized so that it constantly turns a sign.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art and, consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

What is claimed is: g

l. A toy drive comprising:

a toy housing;

an output member mounted on said housing to move thereon;

a motor mounted on said housing;

a screw coupled to said motor to be rotated by it; and

a drive assembly including a support, a worm wheel rotatably mounted on said support and engaged with said screw, and a drive wheel rotatably coupled to said wonn wheel;

said support mounted to move substantially parallel to the axis of said screw between a first position wherein said drive wheel contacts said output member and a second position wherein said drive wheel is spaced from said output member.

2. The toy drive described in claim 1 wherein:

said motor rotates said screw in a direction to urge said drive wheel away from engagement with said output member; and including a manually operable control member coupled to said support of said drive assembly to move it so that said drive wheel thereof moves into engagement with said output member.

3. The toy drive described in claim 1 wherein:

said housing simulates a checkout stand for a store and said output member simulates a merchandise-receiving counter for being merchandise past a store clerk; and including a second output member constantly engaged with said motor to be continually driven irrespective of rotation of said merchandise-receiving counter; and

a manually operable lever pivotally mounted on said housing and coupled to said support of said drive assembly, for moving the drive wheel thereon towards said first position wherein it engages said counter.

4. A toy drive comprising:

a toy housing;

a motor mounted on said housing;

a worm coupled to said motor to be constantly rotated by it when the motor is on; a first output member coupled to said worm to be constantly driven by it;

a second output member rotatably mounted on said hosing;

a frame;

means for confining said frame to slidable movement parallel to the axis of said worm;

a worm wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and engaged with said worm;

a drive wheel fixed to said worm wheel to rotate with it; and

a manually operable member coupled to said frame to slide it between a first. position wherein said drive wheel is spaced from said second output member and a second position wherein it is engaged with said second output member.

5. The toy drive described in claim 4 wherein:

said motor rotates in a predetermined direction that urges said wonn wheel in a direction to move said drive wheel away from engagement with said second output member.

6. A toy checkout counter comprising:

a housing representing a checkout stand;

a turntable rotatably mounted on said housing;

a motor mounted on said housing;

a worm coupled to said motor to be turned by it;

a manually operable control member movably mounted on said housing; and

a drive assembly including a worm wheel engaged with said worm to be driven by it and a drive wheel fixed to said worm wheel;

said manually operable member coupled to said drive assembly to move it substantiallyparallel to the axis of said worm toward a surface of said turntable, so that said drive wheel engages said turntable surface.

7. The toy checkout counter described in claim 6 wherein:

said manually operable member comprises a first lever pivotably mounted on said housing; and including a sign rotatably mounted on said housing and coupled to said motor to be constantly rotated by it;

a second lever pivotally mounted on said housing about an axis perpendicular to the axis of said pivoting of said first lever;

means for holding at least one electric battery; and

a pair of electrical contacts connected in series with a battery in said battery holding means and said motor, and positioned for movement together and apart in accordance with the position of said second lever, whereby a doll can be pivoted in either of substantially perpendicular directions to control rotation of the sign and rotation of the turntable.

8. A toy checkout stand comprising:

a housing representing a checkout stand for a store;

a vertically extending shaft rotatably mounted on said housa sign mounted on said shaft;

a first worm wheel mounted on said shaft;

a motor mounted on said housing;

a screw coupled to said motor to be rotated by it, said screw engaged with said first worm wheel to rotate it, so that said sign turns;

a turntable counter rotatably mounted on said housing;

a support slidably mounted on said housing to move in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said screw;

a second worm wheel rotatably mounted on said support and engaged with said screw;

a drive wheel fixed to said second worm wheel so it moves with said support; and

means for sliding said support between a position wherein said drive wheel engages said turntable counter and a position spaced therefrom.

9. The toy checkout stand described in claim 8 wherein:

said motor rotates said screw in a direction to urge said support away from the position in which said drive wheel contacts said turntable counter.

* 8 tit 

1. A toy drive comprising: a toy housing; an output member mounted on said housing to move thereon; a motor mounted on said housing; a screw coupled to said motor to be rotated by it; and a drive assembly including a support, a worm wheel rotatably mounted on said support and engaged with said screw, and a drive wheel rotatably coupled to said worm wheel; said support mounted to move substantially parallel to the axis of said screw between a first position wherein said drive wheel contacts said output member and a second position wherein said drive wheel is spaced from said outPut member.
 2. The toy drive described in claim 1 wherein: said motor rotates said screw in a direction to urge said drive wheel away from engagement with said output member; and including a manually operable control member coupled to said support of said drive assembly to move it so that said drive wheel thereof moves into engagement with said output member.
 3. The toy drive described in claim 1 wherein: said housing simulates a checkout stand for a store and said output member simulates a merchandise-receiving counter for being merchandise past a store clerk; and including a second output member constantly engaged with said motor to be continually driven irrespective of rotation of said merchandise-receiving counter; and a manually operable lever pivotally mounted on said housing and coupled to said support of said drive assembly, for moving the drive wheel thereon towards said first position wherein it engages said counter.
 4. A toy drive comprising: a toy housing; a motor mounted on said housing; a worm coupled to said motor to be constantly rotated by it when the motor is on; a first output member coupled to said worm to be constantly driven by it; a second output member rotatably mounted on said hosing; a frame; means for confining said frame to slidable movement parallel to the axis of said worm; a worm wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and engaged with said worm; a drive wheel fixed to said worm wheel to rotate with it; and a manually operable member coupled to said frame to slide it between a first position wherein said drive wheel is spaced from said second output member and a second position wherein it is engaged with said second output member.
 5. The toy drive described in claim 4 wherein: said motor rotates in a predetermined direction that urges said worm wheel in a direction to move said drive wheel away from engagement with said second output member.
 6. A toy checkout counter comprising: a housing representing a checkout stand; a turntable rotatably mounted on said housing; a motor mounted on said housing; a worm coupled to said motor to be turned by it; a manually operable control member movably mounted on said housing; and a drive assembly including a worm wheel engaged with said worm to be driven by it and a drive wheel fixed to said worm wheel; said manually operable member coupled to said drive assembly to move it substantially parallel to the axis of said worm toward a surface of said turntable, so that said drive wheel engages said turntable surface.
 7. The toy checkout counter described in claim 6 wherein: said manually operable member comprises a first lever pivotably mounted on said housing; and including a sign rotatably mounted on said housing and coupled to said motor to be constantly rotated by it; a second lever pivotally mounted on said housing about an axis perpendicular to the axis of said pivoting of said first lever; means for holding at least one electric battery; and a pair of electrical contacts connected in series with a battery in said battery holding means and said motor, and positioned for movement together and apart in accordance with the position of said second lever, whereby a doll can be pivoted in either of substantially perpendicular directions to control rotation of the sign and rotation of the turntable.
 8. A toy checkout stand comprising: a housing representing a checkout stand for a store; a vertically extending shaft rotatably mounted on said housing; a sign mounted on said shaft; a first worm wheel mounted on said shaft; a motor mounted on said housing; a screw coupled to said motor to be rotated by it, said screw engaged with said first worm wheel to rotate it, so that said sign turns; a turntable counter rotatably mounted on said housing; a support slidably mounted on said housing to move in a direction Substantially parallel to the axis of said screw; a second worm wheel rotatably mounted on said support and engaged with said screw; a drive wheel fixed to said second worm wheel so it moves with said support; and means for sliding said support between a position wherein said drive wheel engages said turntable counter and a position spaced therefrom.
 9. The toy checkout stand described in claim 8 wherein: said motor rotates said screw in a direction to urge said support away from the position in which said drive wheel contacts said turntable counter. 